Race organisers reviewed the footage and had no other choice but to remove the Italian from the race. Although he is a key domestique for the likes of Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, they still have many quality to riders to protect and work for the leading duo.

After his disqualification, Moscon released an apology via the Team Sky Twitter account.

It's not the first time the 24-year old has encountered trouble, having been suspended for six weeks last year for making a racist comment to a French rider at the Tour de Romandie.

It's the last thing that Team Sky would have wanted after already encountering plenty of negative press in the lead-up to - and during - this year's Tour. Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas have both been frequently booed by crowds, while Froome was both spat at and interfered with up the climb of Alpe D'Huez.